This issue of Fire Protection Engineering is focused on recent
advances in the fire sprinkler industry. It goes without saying that
fire protection systems such as fire sprinkler systems play a
significant role in a building’s fire protection system. Although newer
technologies and design methodologies are making sprinkler systems more
efficient and reliable, these systems will not perform their intended
function if not designed properly.

In
the design-document-phase of a project, there are often inconsistencies
in the way fire protection systems are designed. Any fire protection
engineer who has worked in the building design/construction industry
will tell you how engineers failed to properly design a fire protection
system. For example, it is not uncommon to see "Sprinkler System to
Comply with NFPA 13” as the only design information provided on the
design drawings. At the same time, these documents may or may not
include a "boilerplate” specification that does not correspond with the
specific project requirements.

These
inadequate designs have led to engineering decisions being made during
the shop drawing phase of the project, often by professionals who are
not engineers. Additionally, these inconsistencies can lead to
non-competitive bids from contractors and can present unnecessary
challenges to the various code authorities who are asked to review these
designs.

Because of industry-wide
concerns over the inconsistencies in the engineering of fire protection
systems, the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE), the National
Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE), and the National Institute for
Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET) developed a unified
position statement titled The Engineer and the Engineering Technician—
Designing Fire Protection Systems. The purpose of the Unified Position
Statement is to describe reasonable and prudent roles and
responsibilities of licensed engineers and certified engineering
technicians when designing fire protection systems.

The
Unified Position Statement describes four important tasks that are
essential to ensuring fire protection systems are designed with the
public’s health, safety, and welfare in mind:

Design Document Preparation

Shop Drawing Development

Installation

Record (As-Built) Drawings

Among
these tasks, the engineer is responsible for preparing the design
documents. The design documents establish the objectives and design
criteria for the appropriate fire protection system. This includes, but
is not limited to, identifying the a) scope of work, b) applicable codes
and standards, c) occupancy type and d) hazard classification.
Specifically, when designing fire sprinkler systems, design document
preparation should include, but not be limited to, a) selection of the
type of system, b) selection of system components, c) establishing the
design area, d) determining the required design/flow requirements, e)
determining the available system water supply, f) a preliminary system
layout, g) hydraulic calculations to verify adequacy of the proposed
water supply and h) identifying interrelationships with other building
fire protection systems. The Unified Position Statement also has unique
requirements for fire alarm systems and special hazards fire protection
systems.

Next, the technician or
engineer prepares working plans/shop drawings in accordance with the
design documents, the specified standards, and manufacturer listings.
The Unified Position Statement outlines the specific requirements for
shop drawings. Once the shop drawings have been completed, the engineer
completes a review of the drawings. It is important to note: The
engineer’s role in shop drawing review is not "Plan-Stamping” the shop
drawings. During this phase, the engineer is required to complete a
detailed review of the shop drawings to ensure compliance with the
design documents.

The last part of the Unified Position Statement includes requirements for the installation and as-built drawings.

When
designing fire protection systems, it is the fire protection engineer’s
duty to ensure that his or her design provides adequate design
information. At the same time, when engineers become aware of inadequate
designs that could threaten the health, safety or welfare of the
public, they are required by the SFPE Cannon of Ethics to advise their
employers or clients. Should knowledge of such conditions not be
properly acted upon, the engineer is required to notify the appropriate
public authority. Because the engineering profession is basically a
"self-policing” profession, it is our duty as engineers to ensure that
the public’s health, safety, and welfare are not compromised by poor
engineering design.

About SFPE

SFPE is a global organization representing those practicing in the fields of fire protection engineering and fire safety engineering. SFPE’s mission is to define, develop, and advance the use of engineering best practices; expand the scientific and technical knowledge base; and educate the global fire safety community, in order to reduce fire risk. SFPE members include fire protection engineers, fire safety engineers, fire engineers, and allied professionals, all of whom are working towards the common goal of engineering a fire safe world.